Comparative Study of Maternaland Neonatal Outcome of Elective Induction of Labour vs Expectant Management at 40- 40+6 Weeks of Gestation

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To compare and analyse in each group- delivery complications like postpartum haemorrhage, obstetric anal sphincter injury at 40-40+6 Week of Gestation. To compare and analyse in each group- perinatal outcomes, mainly perinatal mortality and special care unit admission. METHODS: This prospective comparative observational study was conducted in the Department of Gynaecology & Obstetrics, R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital. For my study I had taken a total of 276 mothers whom I had subdivided into 2 groups. Group Ahad 138 mothers who had induction of labour (I) by some method. Remaining 138 mothers were allocated to Group B who had only watchful expectancy with monitoring and labeed as expectant management group(EM). RESULT: In group-A (I), 5(3.6%) patients had instrumental delivery in comparison to group B(EM) which had 15(10.9%) of instrumental delivery. LSCS was also higher in group B i.e 36(26.1%) as compared to group A i.e 25(18.1%). 108(78.3%) mothers had vaginal delivery who were induced whereas 87(63.0%) had vaginal delivery in expectant management group. Therefore, induction group had better outcome in terms of mode of delivery.It was also statistically signicant (p=0.0098). The distribution on the basis of APGAR score at 5 minutes of babies in between two groups was signicant. CONCLUSION: Elective induction at 40+ weeks is associated with a lower rate of caesarean delivery and does not increase the risk of major complications for newborns and can be offered to mothers having low risk and crossed their expected date of delivery.The ACOG says elective induction at 40+ weeks is a reasonable option for healthy women. Induction of labour at 40+ weeks should not be routine for women but it is important to counsel them and let them decide whether they want to be induced and when.